It’s Important to Continue Social Distancing/Plasma Donations Needed/COVID-19 Updates

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Although we are hearing that the “curve” may be flattening in Westport and Weston, there are still new cases being recorded with each new day.  The spread of the virus is SLOWING but has not stopped.  Therefore, it is important to continue social distancing and diligently practicing those things that have shown to be effective in preventing the virus from spreading.

Summary for most recent day of reporting in Connecticut

Category Text Total  Change Direction  Change
Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Cases 13,989                        +    608
COVID-19 Associated Deaths      671                        +      23
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19   1,779                        +      19
Patients Tested for COVID-19 45,841                        + 1,532

 

Charts represent the date the data were reported to the CT DPH.  Cases and deaths are cumulative over time.  Hospitalization data are collected by CT Hospital Association

Source: Department of Public Health Created with Datawrapper

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                                                                                                  Total Reported

                        Local Results                                                   To Date            Change

Westport Residents COVID19 Positive Reported to the State          176                  +  2

Weston Residents COVID19 Positive Reported to the State               41                  +  1

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A complete listing by town and county of all COVID19 cases being reported by the Connecticut State Department of Health, and various analysis of those cases, can be found by following this link:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/CTDPHCOVID19summary4142020.pdf?la=enThe

What Is Social Distancing?

Keep Your Distance to Slow the Spread

Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:

  • Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people
  • Do not gather in groups
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings

In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread locally and across the country and world.

When COVID-19 is spreading in your area, everyone should limit close contact with individuals outside your household in indoor and outdoor spaces. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if you have no symptoms. Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Why practice social distancing?

COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a prolonged period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. COVID-19 can live for hours or days on a surface, depending on factors such as sun light and humidity. Social distancing helps limit contact with infected people and contaminated surfaces.

Although the risk of severe illness may be different for everyone, anyone can get and spread COVID-19. Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread and protecting themselves, their family, and their community.

Tips for social distancing

  • Follow guidance from authorities where you live.
  • If you need to shop for food or medicine at the grocery store or pharmacy, stay at least 6 feet away from others.
    • Use mail-order for medications, if possible.
    • Consider a grocery delivery service.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others, including when you have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store.
      • Stay at least 6 feet between yourself and others, even when you wear a face covering.
  • Avoid large and small gatherings in private places and public spaces, such a friend’s house, parks, restaurants, shops, or any other place. This advice applies to people of any age, including teens and younger adults. Children should not have in-person playdates while school is out. To help maintain social connections while social distancing, learn tips to keep children healthy while school’s out.
  • Work from home when possible.
  • If possible, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
  • If you are a student or parent, talk to your school about options for digital/distance learning.

Stay connected while staying away. It is very important to stay in touch with friends and family that don’t live in your home. Call, video chat, or stay connected using social media. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and having to socially distance yourself from someone you love can be difficult. Read tips for stress and coping.

 

Norwalk/Danbury Hospital System Seeks COVID-19 Plasma Donation

If you had COVID-19 and have recovered, you may be able to help save a life. Your blood may contain antibodies that fight the virus and can help critically ill people.

Nuvance Health is looking to screen you as a volunteer. If you are willing to participate, please follow this link to see if you are eligible: https://veoci.com/veoci/p/form/d9keubfc4gca#tab=entryForm

 

Travelers: Per State recommendations, any person coming into Connecticut by any mode of transportation for any reason is strongly urged to self-quarantine for 14 days.

 

COVID19 Testing at the Bedford Middle School has been suspended:

With the availability of numerous COVID19 testing sites in the area, some with the capacity to provide more rapid results than the methodology the Health District currently has access too, testing at the Bedford Middle School has been suspended until further notice. Once the newly approved rapid COVID19 tests that provide results in minutes, not days, are available to local health jurisdictions, the need for a more local testing location will be reevaluated.

There are many other testing sites. If you have had contact with a confirmed COVID19 positive individual and have symptoms, please feel free to arrange testing at one of the sites that can be found using this link:   http://wwhd.org/coivd-19-testing-sites/